Bonbons Rouges (Red Candies)

Review by Nick Peron

When it comes to Canadian in dependant films, you are usually hard pressed to find anything of great merit. More often what you happen to see aren't really "independent" films in the true sense of the words, but fringe films that are outside of the American mainstream market that "make it big" that have fairly decent budgets. Pontypool , Juno , Ginger Snaps , and... shit, anything by David Cronenberg. It is increasingly difficult to find truly independent stuff out there. The above mentioned films are okay, in that right they have a decent budget, and the story isn't too dreadfully boring (unless we're talking about Blood and Donuts -- do not get me started on the Blood and Donuts ) But for all the money dumped into them, the writing, and the theatrical releases, they lack the same things that is plaguing the American world: Lack of charm. Any sort of fun, charm, and originality has been bleached out of these movies so that they can be mass marketed to the mindless shills that will shell out 10 bucks to see a Michael Bay piece of crap.

I like b-movies because for the most part, it's a more personal experience, it usually ends up being for a limited audience -- because the filmmakers have a true vision that they do not want to compromise for a demographic. That's what makes true independent cinema great. Good or bad, there are no limits, and (usually) it presents itself offering no apologies about what it is, and has thick enough skin to take the criticism that might come from it (usually.) Granted, a lot of these critiques come from the same mouth breathing herd that I mentioned above the kind of person who thinks a "good" movie needs a big name with a familiar face (recently botoxed for your viewing pleasure), a ridiculously high budget, and explosions. Lots and lots of explosions.

What these shambling troglodytes fail to see is the merit. of the indie film -- and forget the fact that for some producers and directors out there (like Peter Jackson, and Sam Raimi) low budget films is where they got their start, that's what put them on the map.

This is a round about way for me to get to the pont I'm trying to make -- About how the short film Bonbons Rouges (or Red Candies for those of you who ne comprenez pas le français) The film was made by the folks at A.normale Productions (who also made a previously reviewed film here on Micro-Shock, the Hammer film homage piece Seduction of Evil)

It stars Luc Bernier and Isabelle Stephen (Dirtbags - Armpit of Metal , Tales From the Crapper ) , and was produced by Jef Grenier (Killer Cup series.) The film is about a couple (played by Luc Bernier and Isabelle Stephen) who are obsessed with horror movies. One night on Halloween, the couple are visited frequently at the door by a trick-or-treater that is wearing a very familiar Skelletor costume (You know, the bad guy from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe ?) All they want to do is enjoy a night of sitting in and watching horror movies, and they keep getting interrupted by this freaky kid, and memories of the last time the couple went out on Halloween when they were a kid.

Things take a turn for the tragic when they watch a movie called NECRONOMICON OF THE DEAD BLIND, and our heroes girlfriend just doesn't like it and sends him off on a beer run and to get a better movie. After exchanging it for a film called Sandman (Another film in the A.normale library) from the video stores creepy looking clown, he returns home to find his girlfriend asleep. Deciding that he's going to watch a movie this night anyway, he opens up his DVD player to find that -- whoops -- he forgot the DVD for NECRONOMICON OF THE DEAD BLIND inside the machine! Deciding "oh well" he chooses to finish watching the film, however this would lead to a tragic twist ending -- for which I will not reveal for you -- go out and watch it yourself.

Bonbons Rouges, is a Halloween greeting card to horror movie fans, a homage to horror films and the fan base in general. If you're like me and can spot references, be impressed by VHS copies of hard to find horror movies, and other memorabilia then this is the movie for you. NECRONOMICON OF THE DEAD BLIND(The movie within the movie) is a total hats off to the works of Amando de Ossorio right down to music.

There are also some great (and common) tongue and cheek barbs at the horror movie culture: The beginning of the film features the main character scaring trick-or-treaters dressed up in a Jason costume, and they run away in abject fear afraid that Freddy will get them. It is very common that people who don't know any better always always mix up Freddy and Jason.

Another great moment is the scene where Luc and Isabelle discuss watching NECRONOMICON OF THE DEAD BLIND. It's a similar conversation I've had with a few of my past girlfriends. Almost word-for-word the same conversation:

She says: "This movie is a piece of crap"

I says: "Well it's the fifth movie."

She says: "They made four other pieces of shit like this?"

I says: "Well yeah, but the older ones were better. Well at least the first blah blah blah..."

To put it plainly, Bonbons Rouges may be in French, but it still speaks the same language. The language of the horror movie fanatic.

Also watching this movie was a little more personal for this little movie reviewer, because it's like coming home. Filmed in my Montreal, Quebec, the city of my birth, it's full of cultural nuances that I miss ever so much living in English Canada. If home is hanging about with a bunch of metal heads demolishing a case of Budweiser while shouting "tabarnak du câlice" and "sacrament" to you, then you know what I'm talking about. If this is foreign to you, then all I can say is go to Montreal. You'll have a blast. It's the best place in Canada. For more on French Canadian swear words, consult your local library.

The budget to this film is small, and yes, while the production values are not in the high range -- it's still a watchable and enjoyable movie, especially if you're a fan of horror movies. Treat yourself to this fine little indie film, the DVD is available through the A.normale Productions website, the DVD includes english subtitles, a drinking game and more. If you're a fan of horror movies, go out and get it!